SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli
pintimentu n.m. Regret, repentance.
Lu pintimentu lava lu piccatu.
Eng. Repentance washes away sin.
 
pinzari v.t. Think.
Pensacci prima, nun pigghiari sbagghiu;
Ddoppu lu fattu nun cc'è cchiù cunsigghiu.Source: Pitrè, III, 366.
Eng. Avoid mistakes, think before you act;
Advice helps little, after the fact.
 
Pensa adaciu e lavura prestu. Source: Pitrè, III, 366.
Eng. Think slowly and work quickly.
 
Pensa e poi fa. Source: Pitrè, III, 367.
Eng. Think before you act.
 
Pensa la cosa prima chi la fai,
Ca la cosa pinsata e bedda assai. Source: Pitrè, III, 367.
Eng. Before you act first think then do,
The action that's planned will please you.
 
Si a zoccu pensi pinsatu cci avissi,
A zoccu pensi, nun cci pinsirissi. Source: Pitrè, III, 369.
Eng. If you thought about what you're thinking,
Don't think what you're thinking.
 
pira n.f. Pear.
Annata di pira, annata di suspira.
Eng. A bountiful pear harvest means shortages of everything else.
 
pirciati v.t. past p. Perforated, pierced.
Li fimmini hannu li vudedda pirciati.
Eng. Women can't keep secrets. (Lit. Women have perforated bowels.)
 
pirdizioni n.f. Danger, ruin, damnation, perdition.
Cui pirduna a sò figghiu l'erruri, lu metti a la pirdizioni. Source: Pitrè, II, 145.
Eng. Who excuses the errors of his son, puts him at risk of damnation.
 
piriculari v.t. Jeopardize, imperil.
Donna, focu e mari fannu l'omu piriculari.
Eng. Woman, fire, and the sea are perilous for man.
 
Pirinnellu name Pirandello.
Sunnu cosi di Pirinnellu. Or, Mi parinu cosi di Pirinnellu.
Eng. Things of a Pirandelian sort. (Applied to complicated or confused situations.)
 
pirirà v.i. fut. 3rd p.sing. Disappear, discourage, die, perish.
Pri la suverchia cummudità la riligioni pirirà.
Eng. Religion will perish because of excessive comforts.
 
pirsivirari v.t. Persevere.
Lu piccari è di l'omu, lu pirsivirari è di lu diavulu. Source: Pitrè, III, 185.
Eng. To sin is human, to persevere is devilish.
 
piru n.m. Pear.
Quannu lu piru è maturu, cadi sulu. Source: Pitrè, III, 249.
Eng. When the pear is ripe it falls by itself.
 
Quannu lu piru è matureddu, Si cogghi cu tuttu lu pidicuddu. Source: Pitrè, III, 249.
Eng. When the pear is ripe, It's picked with its entire stem.
 
pirutu adj. Despairing.
A lu pirutu pirutu
Veni l'ancilu e cci duna l'ajutu. Source: Pitrè, I, 275.
Eng. The angel will come and help
The wretchedly despairing.
 
pisa n.f. Weight
A viaggiu longu ogni pagghia pisa. Source: Pitrè, III, 114.
Eng. On a long voyage every straw weighs.
 
pisari v.i.t. Weigh, consider.
Pisa giustu e vinni caru. Source: Traina, 741.
Eng. Weigh fairly and sell dearly.
Traina notes, beause if the weight is accurate the price is fair.
 
Pisa ad unza e no a rotulu. Source: Pitrè, I, 323.
Eng. Weigh by the ounce and not by the rotulu (.793 of a kilo).
Pitrè notes, because it's easier to cheat.
 
pisci n.m. Fish.
Quannu nun trovi pisci pigghji vopi.
Eng. When you can't do as you want, do as you can. (Lit. When you can't find fish go for perch.)
 
pista v.t. 3rd p.sing. Batters, pounds.
Cui dintra lu murtaru l'acqua pista, cu li stizzi si vagna e stancu resta.
Eng. Who pounds the water in the mortar, will get wet from the splashing and will end up tired.
 
pistilenzia n.f. Pestilence, plague.
Medicu nuveddu, pistilenzia di patria!
Eng. A new doctor is a plague on the country.
 
pisu n.m. Weight, load, burden.
Lu pisu di l'anni è lu pisu cchiù granni.
Eng. The weight of years is the heaviest burden.
 
Pisu è misura, nun ti levi nè ti duna.
Eng. A burden is a measure, it makes you neither lighter nor heavier.
 
pitanza n.f. Portion, course, dish, share.
Si vuliti l'osservanza, dàtinni la pitanza.
Eng. If you want a celebration provide the means.
 
pititti n.m. Appetite, desire, need.
Si diventi riccu di dinari, diventi poviru di pititti.
Eng. The rich man has little need.
 
pitittu n.m. Appetite, desire, need.
Privazioni fa pitittu e fa duci pani schittu.
Eng. Hunger never saw bad bread.
Eng. Lit. Privation whets the appetite and makes plain bread pleasing.
 
pitrusinu n.m. Parsley.
A san Franciscu si simìna lu pitrusinu.
Eng. On St. Francis Day, October 4, you sow parsley.
 
pitturina n.f. The bodice of an apron.
Pira, jinchitinni la pitturina; prunu, màncianni unu.
Eng. Pears, fill the bodice; prunes, eat one.
 
pitulanti adj. Petulant, arrogant, insolent.
A cui fa lu pitulanti,
Si cci ammustranu li scagghiuna e li denti. Source: Pitrè, III, 313.
Eng. Treat one who is being insolent,
With firmness.
Lit. Display your canines and your teeth.
 
pizzenti n.m. Beggar
Lu pizzenti, di 'na porta e dui si nni dispisa. Source: Pitrè, III, 268.
Eng. One down, now two more to go. Lit. A beggar at one door and two more to manage.
 
pizzicuni n.m. Pinch.
Tinti pizzicuna fannu li carni nìvuri. Source: Bellantonio, II, 111.
Eng. Many pinches make the skin black and blue.
 
pizziddu n.m. Chicken's beak.
Dici la gaddinedda: dammi di lu pizziddu, ca ti dugnu di lu pirtusiddu.
Eng. The laying hen says: give me feed to fill my beak and I'll give you eggs.
 
pizzu n.m. Beak.
Palumma, palummedda, di lu pizzu pari bedda!
Eng. Pigeon and chick, you're pretty from the tip of your beak.
 
poco adj. Little.
Vôi sapiri qual'è lu megghiu jocu? Fa' beni i parra poco.
Eng. Do you want to know the best ploy? Do good and speak little.
 
Lu saviu pocu parra. Source: Pitrè, III, 227.
Eng. The wise speak little.
 
poi adv. After, afterwards, then, later, next.
La festa si fa quannu veni,
Chi quannu si fa poi, nun si fa beni. Source: Pitrè, III, 387.
Eng. You should celebrate the holiday when it occurs,
For if you do it later, it doesn't go well.
 
ponnu v.i. Able to, can.
Li ricchi comu vonnu e li poviri comu ponnu.
Eng. The rich do as they want, the poor do as they can.
 
porcu n.m. Pig.
Megghiu porcu magru ca gaddina grassa.
Eng. A skinny pig is better than a fat chicken.
 
porta n.f. Door.
Aperta è la porta pri chiddu chi porta.
Eng. The door is always open to the bearer of gifts.
 
La porta di lu cacciaturi lu ventu l'apri e chiudi. Source: Traina, 751.
Eng. The hunter has nothing worth safeguardding.
Lit. The wind opens and closes the door of the hunter.
 
La porta fausa spissu è ruina di la casa. Source: Traina, 751.
Eng. Secretive spending is the ruin of the household. Lit. The false door is often the ruin of the house.
 
porta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Brings, bears.
L'omu è comu lu mari: s'un porta oi, porta dumani.
Eng. Man is like the sea: if he doesn't produce today, he'll produce tomorrow.
 
portu n.m. Harbor, port.
Cui voli manciari pisci di portu, nun voli aviri lu vurzuni strittu.
Eng. If you want to eat freshly caught fish, you don't want to have a tight purse.
 
Si Catania avissi portu, Palermu saria mortu.
Eng. If Catania had a port, Palermo would be dead.
 
A tempu di timpestu, ogni tintu pirtusu è portu. Source: Pitrè, I, 198.
Eng. Any port in a storm.
Lit. During a storm, any stinking hole is a port.
 
potenti adj. Potent, Mighty, strong.
Lu dèbbuli chi fa càusa cu lu potenti, è comu la quartara chi truzza cu lu muru.
Eng. The weak who opposes the strong, is like the jug that collides with the wall.
 
potiri v.i. be able to.
L'amicu nun è sempri amicu; si pò fari nnimicu. Source: Pitrè, II< 185.
Eng. A friend isn't always a friend; a friend can become an enemy.
 
poviru adj. Poor.
A lu poviru Diu l'ajuta. Source: Pitrè, I, 275.
Eng. God will help the poor.
 
Nun è poviru cu' havi quantu cci basta.
Eng. You're not poor if you have as much as you need.
 
Poviru è cu' havi di bisognu. Source: Pitrè, III, 274.
Eng. They are poor who have need.
 
Lu poviru 'un avìa e limosina facia.
Eng. The poor didn't have but gave to charity.
 
Lu poviru 'un è crittu.
Variante: Nè crittu nè 'ntisu lu poviru offisu.
Eng. The poor is not believed.
Varient: The poor offended man is neither believed nor understood.
 
Lu poviru nun è crittu mai. Source: Traina, 753.
Eng. The poor are never believed.
 
Lu poviru quannu parra nun è 'ntisu. Source: Traina, 753.
Eng. When the poor speak, they are not listened to..
 
Figghi assai, patri poviri. Source: Pitrè, II, 147.
Eng. Very many children, father impoverished.
 
Megghiu diri: poviru mia, ca poviri nui. Source: Pitrè, II, 157.
Eng. Better to say "poor me" than "poor us".
 
Lu poviru, di tuttu havi bisognu. Source: Pitrè, III, 268.
Eng. The poor man has need of everything.
 
Lu poviru d'ogni cosa si cuntenta. Source: Pitrè, III, 268.
Eng. The poor man is happy to get anything.
 
Lu poviru è 'gnuranti. Source: Pitrè, III, 270.
Eng. The poor is an ignorant man.
 
Lu poviru è poviru pirchi è poviru. Source: Pitrè, III, 270.
Eng. The poor is poor because he's poor.
 
L'ura di lu manciari di li ricchi è quannu hannu fami, ma di li poveri quannu hannu dinari. Source: Pitrè, III, 270.
Eng. For the rich, the time to eat is when they are hungry, for the poor it is when they have money.
 
prattica n.f. Practice, experience, training.
Cui prattica ammaistra. Source: Pitrè, III, 318.
Eng. Mastery comes with practice.
 
Cui prattica e 'un si 'nsigna,
O iddu è asinu o è signa. Source: Pitrè, III, 318.
Eng. Who practices and fails to learn,
Is either a donkey or a monkey.
 
predica n.f. Sermon.
Nun c'è tavula senza vinu, nè predica senza Agustinu.
Eng. There is no table without wine nor a sermon without Augustine.
 
premiri v.t.i. To be concerned with.
Diu mi vogghia beni, ca di santi nun mi premi.
Eng. With saints I'm not concerned, but with the love of God.
 
prenu adj. Full, sated, pregnant.
Ogni cosa pò èssiri, fora chi òmini preni. Source: Piccitto, III, 916.
Eng. Everything is possible, except male pregnancy.
 
prèscia n.f. Hurry, haste.
A cu' ha prèscia, ogn' ura cci pari cent'anni. Source: Pitrè, III, 313.
Eng. To one in a hurry, each hour seems like a hundred years.
 
prestu adv. Quickly, hastily, promptly, at once.
Cu' duna prestu, duna du' voti.
Eng. Giving promptly is like giving twice.
 
La cosa prestu fatta, prestu è disfatta.
Eng. Haste makes waste.
Lit. The thing done hastily is quickly undone.
 
Prestu, prestu cà la cira squagghia! Source: Pitrè, III, 386.
Eng. Quickly, quickly because the wax is melting.
 
Zoccu fai, fallu prestu. Source: Pitrè, III, 389.
Eng. What you do, do quickly.
 
Zoccu hai di fari, fallu prestu. Source: Pitrè, III, 389.
Eng. What you have to do, do quickly.
 
presumiri v.i. To assume, presume, conjecture, suppose.
L'omu sapienti tantu cchiù sa, tantu mancu presumi.
Eng. The more you know, the less you assume. Lit. The more the savant knows, that much less he assumes.
 
pridicaturi n.m. Preacher.
Lu bon pridicaturi divi prima pridicari a sè stissu. Source: Traina, 760.
Eng. The good preacher practices what he preaches.
Lit. The good preacher must first preach to himself.
 
prigari v.t. To pray, implore.
Ogni asinu si prega di lu so ragghiu.
Eng. Each is pleased with what is their own.
Lit. Each donkey is pleased with his own braying.
 
Cui si preja di capiddi e denti, Si preja di nenti. Source: Pitrè, I, 165.
Eng. Who is pleased with teeth and hair, is pleased with nothing.
 
Quannu si' prigatu, accatta. Source: Pitrè, I, 324.
Eng. When you're asked, buy.
 
Quannu si' prigatu, vinni Source: Pitrè, I, 324.
Eng. When you're asked, sell.
 
Tannu è megghiu vinniri, quannu si' prigatu Source: Pitrè, I, 324.
Eng. It's better to sell, when you're asked.
 
Accatta e vinni quannu si' prigatu. Source: Pitrè, I, 324.
Eng. Buy and sell when you're asked.
 
prima adj. First.
Di lu poviru pigghianni la prima e di lu riccu l'urtima.
Eng. To get the best dowry, marry the poor man's first daughter but the rich man's last daughter.
 
Ogni prima è forti. Source: Pitrè, II, 20.
Eng. Being first is an advantage.
 
primintìu adj. Premature.
Matrimoniu tardu, orfani primintìu. Source: Pitrè, II, 148.
Eng. Late marriages, premature orphans.
 
Figghi tardii, orfani primintìi. Source: Pitrè, II, 148.
Eng. Having children in middle age, premature orfans.
 
primura n.f. Haste, hurry.
Quannu s'havi primura, lu tempu 'un passa mai. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.
Eng. To one in a hurry, time seems to be standing still.
 
principiu n.m. Beginning, origin, starting.
Ogni principiu è forti, ogni disideriu veni a fini. Source: Zinna, 124.
Eng. Starting is always difficult, but every desire is attainable.
 
Lu mali quannu è 'n principiu si sana. Source: Pitrè, III, 380.
Eng. The hurt, when it's at the beginning, will be healed.
 
prinizza n.f. Pregnancy.
Amuri, prinizza e dinari su' tri cosi ca non si pon' ammuciari. Source: Copani, 40.
Eng. Love, pregnancy and money are three things that can't be hidden.
 
priparari v.t. Prepare, be ready.
Megghiu lu priparatu chi lu spriparatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 380.
Eng. Better the one who's prepared than the one who's not.
 
prisa n.f. Acquisition, purchase, gain.
Èssiri cchiù la spisa chi la prisa.
Eng. The expense is more than the gain.
 
prisenza n.f. Presence, appearance.
Cu' in prisenza ti timi, in assenza t' offenni. Source: Traina, 762.
Eng. The one who is afraid in your presence, hurts you in your absence.
 
 
privileggiu n.m. Privilege, perquisite.
Bannu di Palermu e privileggiu di Missina.
Eng. The proclamations of Palermo and the perquisites of Messina.
 
prizzari v.t. Esteem, prize.
La nubbilità pocu si prezza si nun cc'è la ricchizza. Source: Pitrè, III, 262.
Eng. Nobility without riches is not prized.
Note: Pitrè cites Ariosto, Orl. fur. XLIV, 36:
...Nobiltà poco si prezza,
E men virtù, se non v'è ancor ricchezza.
 
prova n.f. Test, trial, experiment, proof.
A la prova si vidi lu valenti. Source: Traina, 770.
Eng. The valiant pass the test.
 
A li provi si vidi la prisenza Source: Pitrè, II, 16.
Eng. Those present passed the test.
 
Cosi chi pàrinu, chi cci vonnu provi?. Source: Pitrè, III, 187.
Eng. What need is there for tests when things are apparent?
 
Cui nun provi li cosi, nun li cridi. Source: Pitrè, II, 127.
Eng. Who doesn't test things, doesn't believe them.
 
prudenza n.f. Prudence.
Lu taciri è prudenza. Source: Pitrè, III, 227.
Eng. Silence is golden. Lit. Silence is prudence.
 
prumèttiri v.t. To promise.
A riccu nun prumèttiri e a poviru nun mancari. Source: Pitrè, III, 253.
Eng. Don't make promises to the rich nor withhold from the poor.
 
A cui prumetti cosi assai, pocu si cridi. Source: Pitrè, III, 279.
Eng. Who promises much is believed little.
 
Nun prumettiri a vecchi e a picciriddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 284.
Eng. Don't make promises to the old or to little children.
 
Nun premettiri cosi, chi nun pòi attenniri. Source: Pitrè, III, 284.
Eng. Don't promise what you can't deliver.
 
Cui nun ha, nun dica: Ti prumettu. Source: Pitrè, III, 284.
Eng. Who doesn't have, shouldn't say: I promise you.
 
Ogni prumissa è debbitu e si duna,
Miatu cui l'atteni la palora. Source: Pitrè, III, 284.
Eng. Every promise is a debt and one gains,
Blessings who keeps his word.
 
Cui prumetti è dibbituri. Source: Pitrè, III, 284.
Eng. A promisor is a debtor.
 
prumissi n.f.pl. Promises.
Di prumissi nun gudiri, d'amminazzi nun timíri.
Eng. Don't celebrate promises, and don't fear threats.
 
prunu n.m. Prune.
Pira, jinchitinni la pitturina; prunu, màncianni unu.
Eng. Pears, fill the bodice; prunes, eat one.
 
pruspiritati n.f. Prosperity.
Quannu si 'n tempu di pruspiritati, timi l'avvirsitati.
Eng. When you're enjoying prosperity, be wary of adversity.
 
pruvatu adj. Demonstrated, experienced, tested.
Lu pruvatu cchiù nun lu pruvari cà cchiù lu provi, cchiù tintu ti pari.
Eng. Don't retest the tested because the more you test it, the worse it will appear.
 
pruvidenzia n.f. Providence.
Cc'è la morti e la pruvidenzia di Diu. Source: Pitrè, I, 276.
Eng. There is death and divine providence.
 
pruvidiri v.t. Supply, provide, furnish.
Biatu cu' a sò tempu si pruvidi. Source: Pitrè, III, 372.
Eng. Blessed is he who makes the time to provide for himself.
 
pruvulazzu n.m. Dust, threshing dust.
Cui veni appressu, si cogghi lu pruvulazzu.
Eng. When you follow behind, you eat dust.
 
Pruvulazzu di jinnaru, carrica lu sularu.
Eng. Threshing dust of January means a filled loft.
 
pruvuli n.f. Gunpowder.
Lu pruvuli ristritta fa un fracassu. Source: Pitrè, II, 12.
Eng. Restricted gunpowder makes a boom.
 
prùvvuli n.f. Dust.
Cui offenni, scrivi 'n prùvvuli, cu' è offisu, scrivi 'n marmuru.
Eng. The offender writes in dust, the offended carves it in stone.
Lit. the offended writes in marble.
 
pudagra n.f. Gout.
La pudagra è mali di li ricchi.
Eng. Gout is the sickness of the rich.
 
puddaru n.m. Hen house.
Lu misi di jinnaru nun lassa gaddina 'ntra lu puddaru.
Eng. Don't leave the chicken in the hen house in January.
 
puddastra n.f. Pullet.
Vrodu di gaddina e carni di puddastra.
Eng. Use the chicken for broth and the pullet for its meat.
 
puddicina n.f. Chick.
Cu' havi figghi, havi puddicini. Source: Pitrè, II, 142.
Eng. Who has infants, has chicks. Tr. note: Because they can die in an instant.
 
Cui cunta puddicini, cunta pìrita (Palermo). Source: Pitrè, I, 127.
Eng. Who counts chicks, counts farts. Tr. note: In Palermo they didn't used to count their chicks even after they hatched because many never matured into chickens.
 
pugna n.m. Fist, fistful, punch.
Nun si pò pigghiari lu celu a pugna.
Eng. You can't punch your way into heaven.
 
Un pugnu d'oru scassa 'na porta di ferru. Source: Pitrè, III, 254.
Eng. A fistful of gold breaks open an iron door.
 
puisia n.f. Poetry.
Cu voli puisia vegna in Sicilia, ca teni la bannera da vittoria. Source: Cipolla, 27.
Eng. Whoever wants poetry, let him come to Sicily which holds the banner of victory. Trans by Cipolla.
 
pulèiu n.m. Mint.
Asinu mortu, puleju a lu nasu. Source: Pitrè, IV, 5.
Eng. Near a dead donkey, sniff mint.
 
pulizìa v.t. 3rd p.sing. Cleans.
La malatia, si nun guasta, pulizìa.
Eng. If the sickness doesn't kill, it cleanses.
 
Pulizzi place name Polizzi.
Acqua, negghi e nigghi, e parrini cu li figghi, cummissari e diligati, a Pulizzi li truvati.
Eng. In Polizzi you'll find water, fog, kites, priests with children, commissions and delegates.
 
pùnciri v.t. To urge, to spur, to prod, to puncture.
Nun pùnciri lu sceccu nni la muntata.
Eng. Don't prod the donkey while it's pulling uphill.
 
puntu n.m. Point, dot, period, moment, spot.
Cui passa puntu, passa tuttu. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.
Eng. Make the most of the moment.
Lit. Who lets the moment slip by, loses all.
 
Passa puntu, passa tuttu. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.
Eng. Take advantage of the opportunity.
 
puppa n.f. Stern, aft.
Anchi cu lu ventu 'n puppa bisogna sapiri navigari. Source: Pitrè, III, 287.
Eng. Even with a tailwind you need to know how to navigate.
 
purceddu n.f. Sow, piglet.
Quannu ti dùnanu la purcedda, curri prestu cu la curdicedda. Source: Pitrè, III, 388.
Eng. Make the most of every opportunity.
Lit. When they give you a piglet, run there quickly with a little leash.
 
purciara n.f. Insect ridden.
Annata purciara, annata furmintara.
Eng. When there are lots of insects, look for a good grain year.
 
purificari v.t. To purify, cleanse, purge.
Lu focu purifica. Source: Pitrè, II, 13.
Eng. Fire purefies.
 
purpu n.m. Octopus.
Cui pigghia un purpu è sò. Source: Pitrè, II, 26.
Eng. The one who catches an octopus keeps it.
 
purrazzi place name Purrazzi.
Lauda lu mari, ma tiniti forti a la terra (o a li purrazzi).
Eng. Praise the sea but hang on to the land (or to Purrazzi).
 
Ci vonnu purrazzi a fari sfrazzi!
Eng. You need land to seed, to live in luxury!
 
purtari v.t. Carry, bring, take.
Lu riccu quannu mori, nun si porta nenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 271.
Eng. You can't take it with you. Lit. When the rich man dies, he takes nothing with him.
 
Benvegna, cu' ben porta. Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. Welcome, who comes bearing gifts.
 
Trasìti si purtati. Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. Enter if you're bearing a gift.
 
La porta è aperta pri cui porta. Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. The door is open to the gift bearer.
 
La porta è porta pri cui porta. Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. The door is a door to the one who is carrying a gift.
 
Aperta è la porta pri chiddu chi porta. Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. Open is the door to the one who is bringing a gift.
 
La porta si chiama porta pri chiddu chi porta, masinnò lu nnomu sarìa "chiùditi pipi". Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. The door is called a door to the one who's bearing a gift, otherwise it's name is "close sesame".
Note. The Sicilian "chiùditi pipi" is the equivalent of the fabled "close sesame".
 
puseri n.m. Thumb.
Vali cchiù lu jiditeddu di lu riccu, chi lu puseri di lu poviru.. Source: Pitrè, III, 278.
Eng. The rich man's pinky is worth more than the poor man's thumb.
 
pussèdiri v.t. Possess.
Tri sunnu li putenti:
Lu Re, lu Papa, e cu' 'un pussedi nenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 278.
Eng. There are three centers of power:
The King, the Pope, and those who possess nothing.
 
pussidenti n.f. Property owner, landlord.
Biati li pussidenti! Source: Pitrè, III, 253.
Eng. Blessed are the property owners.
 
puta n.f. Prune, trim, shape.
Cui puta 'ntra marzu, o è asinu o è pazzu.
Eng. If you prune in March you're either a jackass or crazy.
 
La puta di jinnaru arricchisci lu vuttaru.
Eng. Pruning in January enriches the vinyard.
 
putari v.t. To prune.
S'a putari vai in aprili, non di vinu, ma d'acquata jinchirai li tò varrili.
Eng. If you prune in April you'll fill your barrels not with wine, but with water.
 
putenti adj. Powerful, influential, rich.
Dui sunnu li putenti: cu' havi assai e cu' 'un havi nenti.
Eng. There are two powers to contend with, those with a lot and those with nothing.
 
Lu riccu e lu putenti
Nun sunnu mai cuntenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 271.
Eng. The rich and the powerful
Are never satisfied.
 
putìa n.f. Shop, store, business.
Cui havi putìa, havi a fari facci a tutti.
Eng. If you have a business you have to smile at everyone.
 
Putìa vecchia nun ha bisognu di frasca.
Eng. An old business doesn't need advertising.
 
putiaru n.m. Shopkeeper.
Lu putiaru abbannia
Zocc'havi 'ntra la putia. Source: Pitrè, I, 321.
Eng. The shopkeeper advertises
That which he has in stock.
 
putiri v.i. Can, able, may, be permitted.
Cui nun voli quannu pò, nun purrà quannu voli. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.
Eng. Who when he can, won't, when he wants, can't.
 
putruni n.m/f. Loafer.
L'armi di lu putruni, Nun tagghiannu nè firiscinu pirsuni. Source: Pitrè, III, 202.
Eng. The weapons of the loafer don't cut nor do they injure anyone.
 
puvireddu n.m. A poor person.
Cu'è picciutteddu, nun è puvireddu.
Eng. A youngster is never poor.
 
Figghi assai, mamma puviredda. Source: Pitrè, II, 147.
Eng. Very many children, poor mother.
 
puvirtà n.f. Poverty.
Ahi, ahi, ahi! tri voti dicu, cui cadi 'n puvirtà perdi l'amicu. Source: Pitrè, III, 251.
Eng. Oh, oh, oh! three times I say it, who falls into poverty loses his friends.
 
La puvirtà di lu galantomu è megghiu di la ricchìzza di lu poviru.
Eng. The poverty of the gentleman is better than the wealth of the poor man.
 
A lu poviru puvirtà, a lu riccu ricchizza. Source: Pitrè, III, 252.
Eng. To the poor man, poverty; to the rich man, riches.
 
Puvirtà nun è matri di la santità. Source: Pitrè, III, 274.
Eng. Poverty is not the mother of sanctity.
 
puzzu n.m. Well.
Quannu pri tanta scarsizza di lazzu, quannu pri tanta funnizza di puzzu.
Eng. Sometimes the rope is too short, sometimes the well is too deep.
 
puzzu sfunnatu adj. Bottomless well, insatiable person.
La casa di lu poviru è puzza sfunnatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 262.
Eng. The house of the poor man has an insatiable need.
Lit. The house of the poor man is a well without a bottom.
 
quadara n.m. A big vase or pot used for boiling, made of copper or other.
La quadara vecchia è china di vozzi, pirtusa, e taccuna.
Eng. The old always have ailments.
Lit. The old pot is full of nicks, holes, and dents.
 
Chi fa 'na stizza d'acqua 'ntra 'na quadara vughienti? Source: Pitrè, II, 12.
Eng. What will one drop do in a pot of boiling water?
 
quagghia n.f. Quail.
Fari vulari la quagghia. Source: Attanasio, 44.
Eng. Let the deal go forward.
Lit. Let the quail fly.
 
Dari tempu a la quagghia. Source: Traina, 789.
Eng. Await the right moment.
 
quagghiata n.f. Curd cheese.
Fa sirvizza a mandra ca mancirai quagghiata.
Eng. Mind your work and derive the benefit.
Lit. Serve the flock and you'll eat curd cheese.
 
quannu adv. When, sometimes.
Cui nun voli quannu pò, nun purrà quannu voli.
Eng. Who doesn't want to when he can, can't when he wants to.
 
quantu adj., adv. As much as, how, how much.
Casa pi quantu stai, vigna pi quantu vivi, terra pi quantu vidi, e rènnita pi quantu pòi
Eng. A house for as long as you're here, a vineyard for as long as you live, land for as far as you can see, and income for as much as you can.
 
Quantu su' l'acchianati su' li scinnuti. Source: Pitrè, III, 97.
Eng. There will be as many steps going down as there were climbing up.
 
quaresima n.f. Lent.
Non ni parramu cchiù ca è quaresima.
Eng. Let's stop the discussion since it's lent. (a strategem used to avoid an argument.)
 
quartucciu n.m. Three fourths of a liter.
Lu quartucciu campa la vigna.
Eng. The Quartucciu gives life to the vineyard. (It revives the worker.)
 
quattru adj. Four.
Quattr'omini ci vonnu pre fari 'na bona 'nzalata: un pazzu, un saviu, un avaru, e un sfragaru.
Eng. You need four men to make a good salad: a crazy man to mix it, a scholar for the salt, a miser for a touch of vinegar, and a squanderer for the oil.
 
Quattru tarì n.m. Silver coin.
Li veri amici e li veri parenti,
Su' li quattru tarì cu l'ali bianchi. Source: Pitrè, III, 266.
Eng. True friends and relatives,
Are the silver coins with the white wings.
Note by Pitrè: Carlo V introduced the Quatru tarì in 1552. It pictured an eagle with outstretched wings, the symbol used on Sicilian money during the Aragon dynasties.
 
racina n.f. Grapes.
Cogghi appena matura la racina cu bonu tempu e asciutta d'acquazzina. Source: Traina, 795.
Eng. Harvest the grapes as soon as they mature while there is still good dry weather.
 
A tempu di racina,
Nè parenti nè vicina Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. During the grape season,
Invite neither relatives nor neighbors.
 
A tempu di racina e ficu,
Non cc'è nè parenti e mancu amicu. Source: Pitrè, II, 24.
Eng. In grape and fig season,
Don't acknowledge neither relatives nor your friend.
Note. Poverbs like this one are meant to express greed.
 
raffiguratu v.t. past p. Recognized, appeared.
A locu unni 'un si' conusciutu, comu si' vistu si' raffiguratu.
Eng. Where you're not known, you're judged by your appearance.
 
ragghiu n.m. Bray, braying.
'U parrari di lu sceccu è lu ragghiu.
Eng. Braying is the talk of the jackass.
 
Ragghiu d' asinu nun arriva 'n celu.
Eng. The braying of the donkey doesn't reach heaven.
 
raggiuni n.f. Reason.
Cui nun senti raggiuni, nun pò fari cosi cu raggiuni.
Eng. Who doesn't listen to reason, can't do things with reason.
 
Cui si 'ncagna senza raggiuni, fa paci senza sudisfazioni.
Eng. Who gets angry without reason, makes peace without satisfaction.
 
La raggiuni va cu lu so pedi.
Eng. Reason prevails.
Lit. Reason goes with its own feet.
 
A la fini si vidi cu' havi raggiuni. Source: Pitrè, II, 16.
Eng. At the end you see who's right.
 
Ragusa place name Ragusa.
Cavaddi rausani, muli spaccafurnari e scecchi muricani.
Eng. Horses from Ragusa, mules from Spaccaforno, and jackasses from Modica .
 
rallintari v.t. Ease, slacken, relax.
Erva di ventu ogni mali allentu.
Eng. Wild herbs ease every ailment.
 
rapi v.t. 2nd p.sing. Rob, steal.
Nuddu ti rapi si nun ti sapi.
Eng. No one will steal from you if they don't know you.
 
razza n.f. Race, descent, breed.
Megghiu lu tintu di bona razza, ca lu megghiu di tinta razza.
Eng. Better the bad one from a good breed than the better one from a bad breed.
 
Re Filippu n.m. Silver coins, money.
Cu' havi a Re Filippu 'ntra li manu,
Fa la Pasqua, Natali e Sammartinu. Source: Pitrè, III, 255.
Eng. Whoever has money,
Celebrates Easter, Christmas and St. Martin's feast day (Nov. 11).
 
Quannu Re Filippu sta 'n sacchetta, tannu si canta. Source: Pitrè, III, 256.
Eng. When you have silver coins in your pocket, that's when you sing.
 
regnari v.i. To rule, reign, prevail.
È naturali all' omu lu sapiri e lu regnari.
Eng. It is the nature of man to know and to prevail.
 
règula n.m. Rule.
Un casu nun fa règula. Oppure: Una bedda jurnata nun fa stati.
Eng. One occasion doesn't make the rule. Or: One beautiful day doesn't make a summer.
 
renniri v.i. Return, yield, repay.
Comu paga la zappa, acussì l'oliva la spisa renni di la puta, lu grassu e di la zappa.
Eng. As you pay the price with the hoe, to that extent the olive grove will profit from the pruning and the fertilizing.
 
Ortu e mulinu, 'un diri quantu renni a tò vicinu.
Eng. Vegetable garden and mill, don't tell your neighbor how much they yield.
 
Dicembri pigghia e giugnu ti lu renni.
Eng. December takes but June repays you.
 
Nun impristari, nun priggiari, nun fari beni ca l'hai rennutu a mali.
Eng. Don't lend, don't endorse, don't do good, or you'll have asked for trouble.
 
Diu perduna a cui offenni, ma non a cui nun rendi. Source: Traina, 808.
Eng. God pardons the sinner, but not the one who does not make restitution.
 
repitu n.m. Lamentation.
Lu mortu a Casali e lu ripitiu a Cunigghiuni Source: Traina, 808.
Eng. He died in Casali and yet they lamented in Cunigghiuni.
 
resca n.f. Fish bone.
Cu' si mancia 'u pisci sputa li reschi.
Eng. With the good times come some bad times.
Lit. When you eat fish you spit the fish bones.
 
rètina n.f. Bridle, reins.
Quannu tu vidi ca lu passu è malu,
Pigghialu pri la rètina lu mulu. Source: Pitrè, III, 296.
Eng. When you see that the going is tough,
Take the mule by the bridle.
 
ricadìa n.f. Relapse.
È tinta la malatia, ma è cchiù tinta la ricadìa. o La ricadìa è pèiu di la malatia.
Eng. Sickness is awful, but a relapse is worse. or The relapse is worse than the sickness.
 
ricchizza n.f. Wealth.
Ricchizza fa superbia, superbia puvirtà. Source: Pitrè, III, 275.
Eng. Wealth begets arrogance, arrogance, poverty.
 
ricchizzi n.f. Riches.
Accumincia ad arricchiri cu' accumincia a disprizzari li ricchizzi.
Eng. You'll begin to be rich when you begin to scorn riches.
 
riccu adj. Rich.
Si riccu a poviru ossequi fa, poi stari certu ca bisogna 'nni ha.
Eng. If the rich man is fawning over the poor man, you can be certain that he needs something.
 
Riccu si pò diri cui campa cu lu sò aviri. Source: Pitrè, III, 276.
Eng. He may be said to be rich who lives within his means.
 
Tri cosi fannu l'omu riccu: Guadagnari e nun spènniri, prumèttiri e 'n'attènniri, accattari e nun vìnniri.
Eng. Three things make a man rich: Earning and not spending, promising and not doing, buying and not selling.
 
Nasci riccu, campa poviru, mori riccu.
Eng. Be born rich, live parsimoniously and die rich.
 
Cu'è riccu d'api e di jumenti, è riccu e 'un havi nenti.
Eng. To be rich with bees and mares, is to be rich and have nothing.
 
Giuvini è cu'è sanu, e riccu cui nun havi a dari.
Eng. You're young if you're healthy, and rich if you have no debts.
 
Quannu lu riccu accarizza lu poviru, signu ca l'havi a 'ngannari.
Eng. When a rich man caresses a poor man, he's going to take advantage of him.
 
Quannu lu riccu veni a mali, nun sapi zò chi si fari.
Eng. When a rich man comes to bad times, he doesn't know what to do.
 
Si sarai riccu, nun sarai senza piccatu.. Source: Pitrè, III, 277.
Eng. If you would be rich, you will not be without sin.
 
ricivu n.m. Receipt, inheritance.
L'arvulu pecca e la rama ricivi. Source: Pitrè, II, 152.
Eng. The tree sins and the branch inherits.
 
ricogghi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Pick up, gather, collect.
Cui nun ricogghi li pecuri daùra, nun arricogghi nè pecuri nè lana.
Eng. If you don't collect the sheep promptly, you'll collect neither the sheep nor the wool.
 
Cui nun ricogghi li pecuri a st'ura,
Nun arricogghi pecuri, nè lana. Source: Bellantonio, II, 210.
Eng. One who fails to gather the sheep on time,
Will then not gather sheep not harvest wool.
 
ricotta n.f. Sicilian cottage cheese, ricotta.
Latti di crapa, ricotta di pecura e tumazzu di vacca.
Eng. Milk from the goat, ricotta from the sheep and cheese from the cow.
 
Ricotta e meli, vivici beni.
Eng. Drink (wine) with your meal.
 
ridiri v.i. Laugh.
A fimmina ca ridi, 'un ci aviri fidi.
Eng. Don't trust a woman who laughs.
 
Cu rid'ò sabbutu chianci 'a duminica.
Eng. Saturday's revelry leads to Sunday's doldrums.
 
Fimmina ca ti ridi, t'ha dittu sì.
Eng. A woman who laughs at you has said yes.
 
A lu ridiri, vô' ridiri,
A lu chianciri, vô' chianciri. Source: Pitrè, III, 314.
Eng. When they're laughing, laugh,
When they're crying, cry.
 
Risu senza raggiuni, o di pazzu o di minchiuni Source: Pitrè, III, 296.
Eng. A laugh without reason, is from insanity or folishness.
 
Cui sempri ridi è asinu. Source: Pitrè, III, 296.
Eng. One who always laughs is a jackass.
 
A lu troppu ridiri si conusci lu 'gnuranti. Source: Pitrè, III, 296.
Eng. At too much laughing you recognize the dullard.
 
Pri lu troppu ridiri si conusci l'omu scioccu. Source: Pitrè, III, 296.
Eng. One who laughs too much appears foolish.
 
rifriddatura n.f. A cold.
Pri la rifriddatura cci voli nidu di picciuna.
Eng. To cure a cold you need the warmth of a pigeon's nest.
 
rimarra n.f. Mud, mire, slime.
A la rimarra nun ci po tacca. Source: Pitrè, II, 11.
Eng. You can't shame the wicked.
(Lit. You can't dirty mud.)
 
rimeddiu n.m. Remedy
Unni nun cc'è rimeddiu, pacenzia. Source: Pitrè, III, 250.
Eng. Where there's no remedy, have patience.
 
Fatta la cosa, nun cc'è cchiù rimediu. Source: Pitrè, I, 278.
Eng. Once it's done, there's no remedy.
 
A tuttu cc'è rimeddiu, fora di la morti. Source: Pitrè, I, 275.
Eng. There's a remedy for everything except death.
 
Ad ogni cosa, fora di la morti,
Trova rimeddiu lu forti. Source: Pitrè, I, 275.
Eng. For everything, other than death,
The strong finds a remedy.
 
A la morti sula nun cc'è rimeddiu. Source: Pitrè, I, 275
Eng. Only death has no remedy.
 
rimu n.m. Oar.
Ognunu si tira lu so' rimu. Source: Zinna, 125.
Eng. Everyone pulls his own oar.
 
rina n.f. Sand.
Cui frabbica supra la rina, la caduta è vicina.
Eng. Who builds on sand, the fall is near.
 
rincrisci v.i. 3rd p.sing. Regrets.
A cui lu campari ci rincrisci, a maju babbaluci e ad agustu pisci.
Eng. To ward off the boredom of life, eat snails in May and fish in August.
 
rinesciri v.i. Succeed, manage, do well.
Rinesci megghiu a pani chi a farina. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.
Eng. A weak starter but a strong finisher.
Lit. Manage better with bread than with flour.
 
ringrazziari v.t. 3rd p.sing. To give thanks, to show gratitude.
Ringraziamu a Diu di chiddu chi nni duna, e a lu Re di chiddu chi nni lassa. Source: Pitrè, II, 241.
Eng. We thank God for what he gives us, and the King for what he leaves us.
 
riposa v.i. Rests.
Cui travagghia giuvini, riposa vecchiu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.
Eng. One who works in his youth, rests in his old age.
 
riscòtiri v.t.. Collect a bill.
Si hai a riscòtiri dinari multi viaggi cci voi fari. Source: Traina, 828-9.
Eng. If you need to collect a payment, you need to make many trips.
 
rispettu n.m. Respect, reverance, manners.
A tavula e a lettu non c'è rispettu.
Eng. The table and the bed have their own manners.
 
U rispettu è misuratu, cu' ni porta n'avi purtatu.
Eng. Respect is reciprocal, who gives it receives it.
 
rispittari v.t. To honor, to respect.
Li vecchi s'hannu a rispittari.
Eng. The old must be respected.
 
Cui rispetta lu cani, rispetta lu patruni. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.
Eng. Respecting the dog, respects the owner.
 
S'arrispetti lu sirvituri, onuri lu patruni. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.
Eng. Respect the servant and you honor the owner.
 
Cui rispetta lu patruni, fa cera a lu cani. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.
Eng. Who honors the owner, smiles on his dog.
 
Porta respettu a lu cani pri amuri di lu patruni. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.
Eng. Show the dog respect for the love of the owner.
 
risposta n.f Answer.
Nè ad ogni vucca ci voli risposta, Nè ogni facci voli cera.
Eng. Not everything need be answered, nor every look returned.
 
Cui voli dari risposta a tutti, cci perdi la virtù, lu sennu e l'arti.
Eng. If you try to reply to everything you'll forsake uprightness, good judgement, and skill.
 
rispuniri v.t. To answer.
Pri 'ngnuranti è tinutu cu' rispuni senza essiri dumanatu.
Eng. Ignorant is the one who answers without being asked.
 
risu n.m. Rice, laughter.
Risu, mi calu e non mi jisu.
Eng. Rice, it goes down but does nothing for me.
 
Risu senza raggiuni, o di pazzu o di minchiuni.
Eng. Laughter without reason, is either crazy or stupid.
 
risuluzioni n.f. Resolution, solution.
Cunsigghiu di vecchi e risuluzioni di giuvini. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.
Eng. Counsel from the old and resolution by the young.
 
ritirata n.f. Retreat.
Quannu la furtuna vôta,
Ogni amicu si fa la ritirata. Source: Pitrè, III, 96.
Eng. When fortune turns,
Every friend makes his retreat.
 
rivintura n.f. Wind tempest, furious agitation.
Mamma chi ha rivintura, A sò figghia parti nni duna. Source: Pitrè, II, 156.
Eng. The mother that has a temper gives some of it to her daughter.
 
robba n.f. Things, property, goods.
Robba mal'acquistata nun godi lu terzo eredi.
Eng. Corruptly acquired goods don't delight the third generation.
 
Si duni la to robba senza pignu, mostri aviri pocu 'ncegnu.
Eng. If you give your goods without a pledge, you show little inventiveness.
 
La robba bona nun è mai cara.
Eng. Quality goods are never expensive.
 
Li robbi lordi si lavanu 'n famigghia. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.
Eng. Don't air your dirty linen in public.
Lit. Dirty linens are washed in the family.
 
Quannu la robba si jetta, accàttanni. Source: Pitrè, I, 324.
Eng. Buy the things on sale.
 
A la mè robba 'un cci vogghiu patruni. Source: Pitrè, II, 23.
Eng. I don't want a boss for my belongings.
Note. An expression of self interest.
 
Roma n.f. Rome.
Roma nun si frabbicau tutta 'ntra un jorna. Source: Pitrè, III, 369.
Eng. Rome wasn't built in a day.
 
rosa n.f. Rose.
La rosa chi nun è guardata, o è ciarata o cugghiuta o spampinata.
Eng. The rose that's disregarded, has been smelled or picked or defoliated.
 
rosi n.f.pl. Roses.
Si su' rosi, ciurirannu, si su' spini, puncirannu.
Eng. If they are roses they will blossom, if they are thorns, they will prick.
 
ròsuli n.pl. Chilblain, mild frostbite.
Li ròsuli pàssanu cu lu ciuri di maju.
Eng. Chilblain passes with the flowers of May.
 
Annu di ròsuli annu d'abbunnanza.
Eng. A year of chilblain will be a year of abundance.
 
rota n.f. Wheel.
La furtuna è fatta a rota,
Sempri vôta e sbôta. Source: Pitrè, II, 193.
Eng. Good fortune is like a wheel,
Always turning in one direction and then the other.
 
La rota di furtuna è fatta a scala,
Cui la scinni, cui l'acchiana. Source: Pitrè, II, 193.
Eng. The wheel of fortune is like a stairs,
Some folks are descending, some folks are climbing.
 
rotulu n.m. twelve ounces.
Tantu pisa un rotulu di chiummu, quantu unu di pagghia. Source: Bellantonio, II, 111.
Eng. Twelve ounces of lead weighs the same as twelve ounces of hay.
 
rozzu adj. Common, coarse, rough, uncouth.
Tantu mancia lu cavaddu rozzu, quantu chiddu di razza. Source: Bellantonio, II, 111.
Eng. The common horse eats as much as the one that's pure bred.
 
rua n.f. Street, alley, wrinkle.
Spassu di rua e trìvulu di casa.
Eng. Entertaining with friends but surly at home.
 
Ogni rua un'unza di giudiziu.
Eng. Each wrinkle is an ounce of wisdom.
 
rùggia n.f. Residue, crust of dirt, patina, dregs.
Un canùsciri mancu la rùggia. Source: Piccitto, IV, 265.
Eng. Not knowing anything about anything.
 
Sta buttigghja è cchjina di rùggia! Source: Piccitto, IV, 265.
Eng. This bottle is full of dregs!
 
rugna n.f. Mange.
A cani vecchiu, rugna. Source: Bellantonio, II, 207.
Eng. For the old dog, mange.
 
ruina n.f. Ruin, destruction, desolation.
La ruina nun guarda sparagnu. Source: Pitrè, II, 108.
Eng. Destruction spares no effort.
 
rumpi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Breaks, interrupts, destroys.
Cu' rumpi paga.
Eng. The one who breaks, pays.
 
Picculu sdegnu rumpi granni amuri.
Eng. A small indignity destroys a great love.
 
rùmpinu v.t. 3rd p.pl. (They) break.
Bonu studiu e bona cura càccianu e rùmpinu mala vintura.
Eng. Good study and good care banish and break bad luck.
 
rumpiri v.t. Break.
Cui s'havi a rumpiri lu coddu, trova la scala a lu scuru. Source: Pitrè, II, 192.
Eng. Who is bent on breaking his neck will manage to find an unlighted stairway.
 
runca n.f. Pruning hook.
Runca e cuteddu fa l'arvulu beddu. Source: Traina, 842.
Eng. Pruned plants grow better.
Lit. Pruning hook and knife make the tree beautiful.
 
rusignolu n.m. Nightingale.
Lu rusignolu vecchiu canta megghiu.
Eng. The old nightingale sings better.
 
russu adj. Red.
Siddu a la casa armali ha' a tiniri, di pilu russu nè cani nè gatti.
Eng. If you have to have animals in your house, don't have either a dog or a cat with a red coat.
 
Ariu russu: o acqua o ventu; si nun chiovi, fa bon tempu.
Eng. A red sky means either water or wind; if it doesn't rain, it will be fair weather.
 
ruvetti n.m. Bushes.
Crìscinu li ruvetti pri cummigghiari li difetti.
Eng. The bushes grow in order to cover defects.
 
saccu n.m. Sack, bag.
Saccu vacanti 'un pó stari a l'addritta.
Eng. An empty bag cannot stand upright.
 
Nun diri quattru si nun è 'ntra lu saccu. Source: Pitrè, III, 306.
Eng. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Lit. Don't say four if it's not in the bag.
 
sacristanu n.m. Sexton.
Li dinari di lu sacristanu cantannu venne e cantannu si nni vannu. Source: Traina, 847.
Eng. Easy come, easy go.
The money of the sexton sings its way in and sings on its way out.
 
I dinari dû sacristanu comu vènunu si nni vannu. Source: Piccitto, IV, 320.
Eng. The money of the sexton goes the way it came.
 
salamòria n.f. Brine, pickle.
Cascavaddu vecchiu 'un ni pigghia salamòria. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.
Eng. An old dog learns not.
Eng. Old cheese won't soak up brine.
 
Salamuni n.m. Solomon, wisdom.
Lu friddu di Jinnàru, lu malu tempu di Frivaru, lu ventu di Marzu, l'acqui d'Aprili, l'acquazzina di Maju, lu bonu metiri di Giugnu, lu bonu pisari di Giunettu, li tri acqui d'Agustu cu la bona staciuni, vannu cchiù di lu tronu di Salamuni. Source: Pitrè, III, 34.
Eng. The cold of January, the bad weather of February, the wind of March, the rains of April, the dews of May, the good harvest of June, the good threshing of July, the few showers of August with a good summer, are worth more than the throne of Solomon.
 
salariu n.m. An agreed wage, a salary.
Salariu crisciutu, sirvizzu guadagnatu.
Eng. A raised salary gained service.
 
salatu adj. Salty
Unni vai vai, l'acqua di lu mari è salata. Source: Pitrè, III, 100.
Eng. No matter where you go the ocean is salty.
 
Ad ogni latu, lu mari è salatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 100.
Eng. The ocean is salty on every side.
 
salutari v.t. Greet, welcome, salute.
Comu saluti si' salutatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 316.
Eng. As you greet, so you'll be greeted.
 
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